Analysts dismiss fears of Japanese stock market 'bubble'

JAPAN'S FORMER MR YEN Eisuke Sakakibara puts the significant rise in stock prices to the weakening of the yen against the dollar.

Tokyo

AS the Nikkei 225 stock index broke briefly through the 20,000 barrier for the first time in 15 years on Friday - though it retreated thereafter - Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari suggested that a "small bubble" in stock prices was a welcome development.